Composer
Biography:
Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf, born in Mannheim (Germany) in 1962, studied composition, music theory, piano, musicology, philosophy and sociology with Brian Ferneyhough, Klaus Huber and Jürgen Habermas, among others. University degree and Doctor of Philosophy. Since 1984 international prizes and recognitions, including Gaudeamus Prize, Stuttgart Composition Prize, Ernst von Siemens Prize, Villa Massimo. Since 2005 professor for composition at the University of Music and Theater in Leipzig.
Editor of the magazine Music & Aesthetics and the book series New Music and Aesthetics in the 21st Century, author of over 150 essays and numerous books (eg Critical theory of music, Of messianic freedom, Philosophy of the Orgasm).
Extensive work in all genres, performed by renowned orchestras (e.g. Ensemble Modern), important commissions (e.g. Salzburg Festival), numerous portrait concerts worldwide.
Main works: Rhizome, Medusa, Chamber Cycle, Angelus Novus, Hommage à György Kurtág, Hommage à Thomas Pynchon, Prospero's Epilogue, humanized void, voiced void, Hommage à Daniel Libeskind, Chamber Symphony I-IV, void – kol ischa asirit.
Albums: